In South America How Many Countries Are There: What Most People Get Wrong

You’re looking at a map of the southern hemisphere and trying to count the blocks of color. It seems simple, right? But if you ask a room full of geographers "in south america how many countries are there," you might actually get three different answers.

Basically, the "official" answer is 12.

Twelve sovereign nations. These are the ones with their own seats at the United Nations, their own presidents, and their own Olympic teams. But honestly, that number feels a bit thin when you’re actually standing on the ground in Cayenne or Stanley.

The continent is a massive, sprawling jigsaw puzzle of roughly 6.89 million square miles. It’s got the driest desert, the biggest rainforest, and a mountain range that basically acts as a spine for the whole west coast. Most people just count the big names—Brazil, Argentina, Peru—and call it a day. But the reality of South American borders is way more interesting than a simple list of twelve names.

The Core Twelve: The Independent Heavyweights

When we talk about independent countries, we're talking about the 12 nations that run their own show.

1. Brazil: The giant. It takes up nearly half the continent's landmass. If you speak Portuguese here, you’re in the right place, but everywhere else? Not so much.
2. Argentina: Famous for steak, tango, and a very specific type of cinematic melancholy.
3. Peru: Home to Machu Picchu and a food scene that's currently taking over the world.
4. Colombia: The only country with coasts on both the Pacific and the Caribbean.
5. Chile: A long, skinny ribbon of land that looks like it's trying to slide off into the ocean.
6. Ecuador: Named after the Equator. Simple, effective.
7. Bolivia: One of the two landlocked nations. It’s got the world’s highest administrative capital in La Paz.
8. Paraguay: The other landlocked one. It's often called the "Heart of South America."
9. Venezuela: Stunning landscapes, though the political situation has been heavy for years.
10. Uruguay: Small, progressive, and very into Yerba Mate.
11. Guyana: The only English-speaking country on the continent.
12. Suriname: The smallest sovereign state, where they speak Dutch.

You’ve probably noticed that Guyana and Suriname feel a little different from their neighbors. They are. Culturally, they often feel more aligned with the Caribbean than with the Spanish-speaking Andes or the Portuguese-speaking Brazil. But on the map? They are firmly South American.

The "Wait, What About These?" Category

This is where the math gets fuzzy.

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If you look at the northern coast, tucked between Suriname and Brazil, there’s a place called French Guiana. Is it a country? Technically, no.

It’s an "overseas department" of France. Imagine it like Hawaii is to the US. People there use the Euro. They vote in French elections. They are literally part of the European Union, even though they’re nestled in the Amazon. So, when someone asks in south america how many countries are there, and you say 13, you’re technically wrong—but geographically, you’ve got a point.

Then there are the Falkland Islands (or Islas Malvinas). This is a British Overseas Territory. Argentina claims them; the UK administers them. It’s a sensitive topic, to say the least.

Why the Number Matters for Travelers

Knowing the count isn't just for winning a pub quiz. It changes how you move.

Crossing from Brazil into French Guiana is an international border crossing, but you’re essentially entering France. If you’re a citizen of the EU, you can just walk in. But if you’re heading from Bolivia into Chile, you better have your paperwork sorted because those are two very different legal systems with very different entry requirements.

The diversity among these twelve (or thirteen, depending on who's counting) is staggering. You have the high-altitude indigenous cultures of the Andes in Bolivia and Peru. Then you have the European-influenced urban jungles of Buenos Aires.

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And don't even get me started on the Guyanas. Suriname is the only place in the world outside of the Netherlands where Dutch is spoken by a majority. Guyana is the only South American member of the Commonwealth. These aren't just names on a map; they are entirely different worlds.

Breaking Down the Regional Split

It’s helpful to think of the continent in "zones."

• The Andean States: These are the ones defined by the mountains—Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
• The Southern Cone: Argentina, Uruguay, and the southern bit of Chile. This is where the climate gets chilly and the wine gets world-class.
• The Guianas: Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
• The Powerhouse: Brazil. It’s a category all its own.

Common Misconceptions About South American Borders

One of the biggest mistakes people make is confusing "Latin America" with "South America."

Latin America is a cultural and linguistic term that includes Mexico and Central America. South America is a purely geographic term for the continent south of the Isthmus of Panama. If you include Panama in your count, you’re already off to a bad start. Panama is in North America (Central America).

Another weird one? Trinidad and Tobago. Geologically, these islands sit on the South American continental shelf. They are just a few miles off the coast of Venezuela. But politically? They are considered part of the Caribbean (North America).

Geography is messy.

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What to Actually Do With This Info

If you’re planning a trip or just trying to sound smart at dinner, remember the magic number 12.

But if you want to show off that "expert" nuance, mention French Guiana. Mention that the count changes if you’re talking about sovereign states versus territories.

Next Steps for Your Research:

1. Check Visa Reciprocity: If you’re visiting multiple countries, check if your nationality requires a "Reciprocity Fee." Some countries charge you just for showing up if your country charges them.
2. Look into the Mercosur Agreement: If you have a passport from a South American country, moving between these 12 nations is much easier, almost like the Schengen Area in Europe.
3. Study the "Three Guianas": Most people ignore the northeast corner of the continent. Don't. It's home to some of the most pristine rainforest left on Earth and a fascinating mix of Asian, African, and European cultures.

So, in south america how many countries are there? Twelve. But the thirteen different flavors of culture you’ll find there make the number feel much larger.

Check the latest travel advisories for Venezuela and the Guyanas before booking anything, as logistics in the north can be significantly more complicated than in the south.